Goes on for a while, needs to go on for a while
We have known the current Kia Picanto since 2017 and were subtly updated in 2020. We recently saw a sturdier Picanto edited with the drawing pencil, thanks to this intervention the model should be able to last for quite a few more years. Is the current model a good basis for such a long career? Owners and users provide the answer.
The Kia Picanto is the somewhat sportier brother of Hyundai’s i10. Owners of the ‘old’ i10 already wrote quite enthusiastically about their car and the previous type of Kia Picanto did well in the AutoWeek Koopwijzer. Even the ‘new’ Picanto may be a bit older, but it doesn’t stop the Dutch from buying it. In 2022, 7,396 went through the showroom door, this year there are also 4,121 so far.
Space offer Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto scores well when it comes to space on board. “Small, but quite spacious car inside, which is fully equipped,” writes a satisfied driver in his short review. “I can sit in it quite well with 1.89 meters and then a 13-year-old child can sit behind me. Of course the trunk is not very big, but you know that when you buy this type of car.”
Even this long driver is not short of space. “There are two of us and a dog, so I don’t miss space. I’m 1.90 meters tall and have plenty of space in the front. With the seat in the rearmost and highest position, I even have more than 10 cm left for the head and knees.”
There is always a superlative, and it has to be this: “I’m tall (1.96 meters) and I can’t find a comfortable seating position in many cars. I like that I have headroom when the seat is in the lowest position. In the Picanto, with the seat in the highest position, I even have enough headroom.” In one effort, the rider also compliments the seating furniture. “I also find the seats very comfortable, I can sit in this car for several hours in a row without any problems.”
Comfort and handling
Opinions are divided about the handling. “Despite the short wheelbase, the car takes thresholds and bumps without any problems, it has very good suspension. She steers wonderfully and quietly, tracks like a train and especially on the highway you hardly have to steer. Lies like a block on the road and curves. The noise level, contrary to what they say in all kinds of tests, is just good and quiet,” writes the positive owner of a 2021 Picanto 1.0 DPI DynamicPlusLine.
The driver of a 1.0 T-GDI X-line is also pleased with how his Picanto drives. “The car really feels like one of a class above. Even on the highway, you don’t have the idea of being on the road with such a small car. Of course there are other things that tell you that it is a small car. Due to the short wheelbase, thresholds are not always pleasant. And when you accelerate you can hear the engine quite well.”
Sound comfort therefore also seems somewhat personal: “What is striking is the tinny sound in the interior. When you talk to each other or listen to the radio, it’s like being in a barrel,” says the owner of a Picanto GT-Line. “The sound of the tires is also very present, but that will probably be due to the Nexen tires.”
Finally, a sporty GT-Line driver analyzes the steering behavior and the safety systems: “The Kia Picanto GT-Line steers very well and precisely, the traction control only intervenes late. This Picanto also has several well-adjusted electronic stabilization systems that allow you to drive through corners safely and very quickly! A lot of fun is therefore guaranteed.”
engines
The Kia Picanto is currently only available with a 1.0-litre DPI (67 hp) and 1.0 T-GDI (100 hp), both three-cylinder. Until the end of 2018 there was still an 84 hp 1.2 four-cylinder, but reviewers mainly describe the three-cylinder.
In any case, the owner of an unblown 1.0 will not be very happy with this motorization, which has little to do with the limited power. “What started to bother me more and more were the performances. Of course you know a bit what you’re getting into with 67 hp, but driving on the highway wasn’t my problem either. That’s first gear. This is very short, at 20 km/h you are already at 3,000 rpm, and it also drives very jerky. If you raise your foot an inch, you will wiggle back and forth, no matter how carefully you try. With all the traffic jams in the Netherlands, driving is a real drama.”
With the more powerful 1.0-litre turbo it’s a different story. “Even at speeds of 160 km/h, the car remains very quiet and stable. The extra weight in the car was no problem at all, even in the mountains the engine pulled the car through at ease,” said the owner, who is still very pleased with his used Picanto X-Line after 70,000 kilometers. .
The sporty GT-Line driver proves that there is more in the barrel. “Thanks to a safe stage 1 software tuning, the power went from 98.5 hp and 171 nm to 147.3 hp and 227 nm of torque. I had this software optimization on 98 fuel carried out after 3,500 km of running-in, the tough Picanto now pulls out many large fast cars at the traffic light. The Kia now has a power to weight ratio of 160 hp per 1000 kg, which is very good!”
Disturbances and annoyances
Owners of the Picantos report few shocking things in their reviews, although one car does mean something. “In January I took the car to the dealer because it was slowing down when accelerating, when shifting up to a higher gear the gas stuck a bit or it revved a bit and the cruise control regularly failed between 50 and 70 kilometers per hour. o’clock. Today, after the first service, it appears that the throttle body of this Picanto is not in order and that this throttle body must be replaced on all new Picantos.” After this announcement, the review has not been updated, so we assume that the problem has been resolved after replacing the throttle body. Other than a minor rattle between the front seats, owners report no issues. Kia does that well.
Whether the Kia Picanto has what it takes to last for years to come? Based on user reviews, a complete replacement does not seem necessary in any case. The car scores well in all areas, which is particularly striking is the space for taller people. If Kia lifts the suspension comfort and sound insulation to a slightly higher level with the upcoming facelift, the Picanto is really everyone’s friend.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl